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On loan to The Met The Met accepts temporary loans of art both for short-term exhibitions and for long-term display in its galleries.

Soul catcher

Tsimshian, Native American

ca. 1840–60

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 746

Created by a Tsimshian artist using an animal femur, this carving was used to restore balance and good health. The two heads may represent wolves or other animals who helped guide this process. Blue-green iridescent inlays of abalone shell give the eyes a lively presence.

Soul catcher, Bone, abalone shell, and tanned leather, Tsimshian, Native American — Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Soul catcher, Bone, abalone shell, and tanned leather, Tsimshian, Native American

Soul catcher, Bone, abalone shell, and tanned leather, Tsimshian, Native American

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Title: Soul catcher

Date: ca. 1840–60

Geography: Made in British Columbia, Canada

Culture: Tsimshian, Native American

Medium: Bone, abalone shell, and tanned leather

Dimensions: 1 1/2 × 7 1/2 × 1 1/2 in. (3.8 × 19.1 × 3.8 cm)

Credit Line: Loan from the Charles and Valerie Diker Collection

Accession Number: L.2018.35.23

The Met

The American Wing at The Met

The American Wing's ever-evolving collection comprises some 20,000 works by African American, Euro American, Native American, and Latin American artists, ranging from the colonial to early-modern period.